The veteran's request for an increased rating for low back strain was denied as his disability does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The veteran's entitlement to nonservice-connected pension benefits was also denied due to his inability to secure and follow substantial gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The veteran's low back strain is currently evaluated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5295 for lumbosacral strain. His other service-connected conditions do not warrant a higher evaluation. The combined disability rating of 30 percent does not meet the criteria for total disability based on individual unemployability.
- Claimed conditions
- low back strain, degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, hyperlipidemia, erectile dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- May 15, 2002
- Citation
- 0204541
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0204541.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Partly granted
The Board granted a 50 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and denied increased ratings for right shoulder impingement syndrome, hearing loss, painful scar, patellofemoral pain syndromes of the knees, and other conditions.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches with an initial rating of 50 percent effective from August 10, 2022, and denied the claims for service connection for a right knee disability, obstructive sleep apnea, kidney disability, low back disability, and erectile dysfunction.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding its etiology.
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